- - - FIRE DANGER IS LOW FOR THE RICHWOOD AREA - CHECK YOUR LOCAL FIRE DANGER SIGNS (See section 4 at the bottom of the page for a fire danger map) - -

Forest Fire News

- - THE BURNNING OF TRASH IS PROHIBITED IN WEST VIRGINIA- - FALL forest fire season in effect through December 31, 2015 Outdoor burning IS Restricted From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily - - Please Help To Prevent Forest Fires !! - -

Updated 04/11/2014

We are in Fall Fire Season 2015

The West Virginia Division of Forestry and the Richwood Fire Department reminds residents that the state?s spring forest fire season runs through December 31, 2015. Daytime burning is prohibited from the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outdoor burning is permitted only between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Through their carelessness, people cause the majority of forest fires in West Virginia. In the fall of 2013, 51% of all forest fires were deliberately set. Escaped debris fires were the second highest cause of forest fires in W.Va. causing 25% of all wildfires.

Other causes that lead to fires in West Virginia include campfires, children, railroads, smokers and lightning.

Forest Fire Arson

2,500.00 REWARD

For Information leading To The Arrest And Conviction Of Arsonists

Help Smokey Stop Arsons In

West Virginia

1-800-233-FIRE1-800-233-3473

2. Outdoor Burning Laws

Dial 911For ANY Forest FireEmergency

Fall Forest Fire Season Started Oct. 1

Outdoor burning IS restricted from

7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Dec. 31

Morning and afternoon outdoor-burning restrictions

Start Oct. 1 and run through Dec. 31.Between

7 a.m. and 5 p.m., No outdoor burning is permitted.

More information below.

Year-round requirements for burning outdoors include the following:-- * A safety strip of at least 10 feet must be placed around burning materials. To prevent wayward sparks from igniting a forest fire, the strip must be cleared down to the mineral soil. -* Fires must be attended at all times and cannot be unattended until fully extinguished. -* A violation of any outdoor-burning restrictions may result in a misdemeanor charge, and/or a fine of up to $300 and liability for costs of fighting the fire and the damage caused by the fire to property.

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The periods of each year between March 1 and May 31, inclusive, and October 1 and December 31, inclusive, are hereby designated as Forest Fire Seasons.

No person shall during ANY such fire season, except between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. prevailing time, set on fire or cause to be set on fire any forest land, or any grass, grain, stubble, slash, debris, or other inflammable materials. Any fire set during this time shall be extinguished prior to 7:00 a.m. prevailing time. Such prohibition of fires between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. prevailing time shall not be construed to include :

(1) small fires set for the purpose of food preparation, or providing light or warmth around which all grass, brush, stubble, or other debris has been removed for a distance of ten feet from the fire.

(2) burning which may be conducted at any time when the ground surrounding the burning site is covered by one inch or more of snow. -No burning may be done unless ALL inflammable material has been removed from around the material to be burned as a safety strip for a distance which insures that the fire will not escape and which is No less than 10 feet. If fire escapes beyond the safety strip, the person responsible shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

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Remember !

Before leaving ANY fire for ANY period of time, it must be totally extinguished.

Commercial permits to burn during the prohibited periods may be issued by the Division of Forestry. ( Information at bottom of page )

Allsawmills, power shovels, or an engine or machines capable of throwing sparks must be provided with an adequate spark arrestor if operating on land subject to fire by any cause.

All inflammable waste disposal areas on ANY land must annually have removed allgrass, brush, debris and other inflammable materials adjacent to such disposal areas to provide adequate protection to prevent the escape of fire to adjacent lands.

The State shall recover from the person or persons, firms or corporations whose negligence or whose violations of any provisions of this article cause ANY fire at ANY time on any grass or forest land the amount expended by the State.

A landowner must take ALL practicable means to suppress ANY fire on his property. If he fails to do so, the State shall collect from him the amounts expended by the State for such purposes.

NOTE: The Richwood Fire Department Does Charges for Suppression of Out of Control Fires

To help keep the public informed about the day's fire danger level, the DOF has installed Smokey Bear Fire Danger signs at locations across the Mountain State, including local volunteer fire departments and State Forests. These signs display the local fire danger as follows: Low, Moderate, High, Very High, or Extreme. Residents should be aware of the conditions and refrain from any burning outdoors if the fire danger is moderate, high, very high, or extreme

LOW (Dark Green) - Fuels do not ignite readily from small firebrands although a more intense heat source, such as lightning, may start fires in duff or punky wood. Fires in open cured grasslands may burn freely a few hours after rain, but woods fires spread slowly by creeping or smoldering, and burn in irregular fingers. There is little danger of spotting.

MODERATE (Light Green or Blue) - Fires can start from most accidental causes, but with the exception of lightning fires in some areas, the number of starts is generally low. Fires in open cured grasslands will burn briskly and spread rapidly on windy days. Timber fires spread slowly to moderately fast. The average fire is of moderate intensity, although heavy concentrations of fuel, especially draped fuel, may burn hot. Short-distance spotting may occur, but is not persistent. Fires are not likely to become serious and control is relatively easy.

HIGH (Yellow) - All fine dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes. Unattended brush and campfires are likely to escape. Fires spread rapidly and short-distance spotting is common. High-intensity burning may develop on slopes or in concentrations of fine fuels. Fires may become serious and their control difficult unless they are attacked successfully while small. Outdoor burning should be restricted to early morning and late evening hours.

VERY HIGH (Orange) - Fires start easily from all causes and immediately after ignition, spread rapidly and increase quickly in intensity. Spot fires are a constant danger. Fires burning in light fuels may quickly develop high intensity characteristics such as long-distance spotting and fire whirlwinds when they burn in heavier fuels. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

EXTREME (Red) - DO NOT BURN !! Fires start quickly, spread furiously, and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious. Development into high intensity burning will usually be faster and occur from smaller fires than in the very high fire danger class. Direct attack is rarely possible and may be dangerous except immediately after ignition. Fires that develop headway in heavy slash or in conifer stands may be unmanageable while the extreme burning condition lasts. Under these conditions the only effective and safe control action is on the flanks until the weather changes or the fuel supply lessons. NO OUTDOOR BURNING SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN AREAS WITH EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR.